Ahead of the forthcoming Gubernatorial Election on Nov. 2, in Bayelsa, the Ijaw Elders Forum (IEF) and other critical stakeholders have warned against electoral violence.
The IEF gave the warning in a statement signed by its Secretary, Mr Efiye Bribena and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday.
Bribena said that the worrisome trend of lawlessness should be discouraged.
“As we approach the governorship elections in Bayelsa, we do not want this worrisome destruction of lives and property to continue.
“We unequivocally condemn the criminal conduct of most actors in the political process during the last general elections in Bayelsa and other states in the Niger Delta.
“We call on all stakeholders to denounce thuggery, violence and rigging in any form during the forthcoming governorship election in Bayelsa,’’ he said.
It was against this backdrop that the IEF in conjunction with Ijaw Professionals Associations (IPA), Ijaw Nations Forum (INF), Ijaw Women Connect (IWC) and G24 Embasara, decided to hold a conference on May 22 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.
The conference is to build consensus around the imperative for a credible electoral process for producing the next governor of Bayelsa.
Bribena lamented that during the 2019 general elections, most candidates at the state and federal levels did not campaign with the focus on addressing the pressing needs of the Niger Delta people.
“Especially the environmental, ecological as well as other priorities of the people.
“It is our expectation that the governorship election in Bayelsa will be issue-based and the candidates will provide road maps for addressing the challenges we face as a people,’’ he said.
According to him, it is expedient for all Ijaw patriots to identify and provide effective, focused and sustainable leadership to articulate and take advantage of existing opportunities, as well as create platforms for rapid growth and development for our people and communities.
“The Ijaw nation now demands a more responsible, people-focused breed of politics.
“This group will mobilise and collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure the will of the people is not subverted,’’ Bribena said. (NAN)
